αστέρι
astéri/aˈste.ɾi/
The Greek word for star is αστέρι (astéri).
In an astronomical sense, αστέρι refers to a luminous celestial body made of plasma. Metaphorically, just as in English, it can be used to describe a person who is exceptionally talented or successful in a specific field.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular accusative form is αστέρι. If you need to refer to stars in the genitive plural, the form is αστεριών.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /aˈste.ɾi/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The English word 'disaster' shares a root with αστέρι, coming from the Greek δυσ- meaning 'bad' and αστήρ meaning 'star'.
- The word αστέρι is actually a diminutive form, meaning it originally translates to 'little star' in Ancient Greek.
- In Greek poetry and romantic songs, calling a partner αστέρι μου is a common way to express affection, much like calling someone 'my sunshine' in English.
Examples in context
- πεντάκτινο αστέρι, εξάκτινο αστέριFive-pointed star, six-pointed starThis sentence shows how to describe stars with different numbers of points using αστέρι.
- Αυτό το παιδί είναι αστέρι στα μαθηματικά.This child is a star at maths.This sentence uses αστέρι metaphorically to describe a talented person.
- Δεν βλέπω το αστέρι.I don't see the star.This sentence shows the use of αστέρι in a simple negative statement.Tatoeba #11277493 by carlosalberto, translation #11277445 by ddnktr
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giorgos and Eleni are looking at the night sky.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚοιτάξτε αυτό το λαμπερό αστέρι!Koitáxte aftó to lamperó astéri!Look at that bright star!
- Ελένη EleniΠού είναι. Δεν το βλέπω.Poú eínai, Den to vlépo.Where is it? I don't see it.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι το πιο μικρό αστέρι εκεί πάνω.Eínai to pio mikró astéri ekei páno.It is the smallest star up there.
- Ελένη EleniΤώρα το είδα, είναι υπέροχο!Tóra to eída, eínai ypérocho!Now I see it, it's wonderful!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry αστέρι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αστέρι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
